Food, family and memories are as intertwined in the South as if woven on the same thread. At any function we attend, from a party to a wedding to a funeral, we are as likely to talk as much about the food that was there, as we are about why we are gathered. ~Mary Foreman

I'm your cook, not your doctor. ~PAULA DEEN

I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends. ~Ninny Threadgoode

Easy Beef Nachos

For some reason I have been on a Mexican and/or Latin kick here lately because my dishes seem to all be leaning that way! First, I have been majorly craving a Cuban Sandwich for a month, then I made the Beef Enchilada Casserole, and then I was craving a beef and bean burrito, but I decided to make a Skillet Burrito Dinner the other day. Yesterday, besides a ham and cheese po'boy that I had for lunch, dressed and pressed thank-ya-very-much, I never ever got around to eating a "proper" dinner.

I was busy in the yard, and taking photos, and uploading and writing a gardening post, and The Cajun went off to do his thing, so I just quickly fed him some leftovers. Later, by the time he got home, I had decided I just had to have some nachos! They have been on my mind here lately, so course I had already bought the ingredients, and yes, he helped me eat 'em ... though he doesn't like 'all that junk' {so he says} on his.

I ate the leftovers for breakfast today. Is that just wrong??

So here's a simple throw-together version of beef nachos, in case you are. interested. I've listed the ingredients that I like to use, but of course you should vary those according to your taste. The secret to me, is in the layered baking, so that you get nacho goodness all over.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Mix together the taco seasoning ingredients; set aside. Cook the ground beef until browned and mash it up with a potato masher; drain off excess oil if needed. Add the taco seasoning and water; cook until most of the water has been absorbed. Add the salsa and stir it into the beef to warm through. Remove from the heat.

Layer 1/2 of the chips on the pizza pan. Top with 1/2 of cooked beef and add 1/2 of the cheese on top of that. Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven, just until cheese melts. Remove, add another layer of the chips, then the rest of the beef, and the remaining cheese. Return to the oven another 6 to 8 minutes, or just until the cheese melts. Top with any or all of the garnishes. Serve immediately.

Cook's Note: May substitute a packet of commercial taco seasoning if you prefer.

On the Grill: Preheat grill to medium. Layer nachos in a disposable aluminum foil pan and cover with foil. Place on grill, lower the lid and let cook about 8 to 10 minutes until heated through and cheese has melted.

Tip:Leftover chili or shredded beef, chicken or pork are all great substitutes for the ground beef in these nachos!

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OH--a painted bunting. I would love to see one of those in my yard. I love to see how many birds I can get to come to my yard. We have eastern bluebirds that nest here. I love Mexican casseroles--we have a chicken one often. Nachos are one of our favorites--I'll have to make some soon--I seem to forget about them for some reason. Thanks for the reminder. Sheila

Hi Shelia! Thanks for stopping by and especially for letting know what that bird was - a Painted Bunting! This is the first time that I have ever since that type of bird here. I'm not sure if the blue birds are "bluebirds" or not LOL! They're kinda skittish and fly off at the slightest movement. They are out there right now - dozens of them! I've got two different types of woodpeckers visitin' too - it's so exciting to me, but I am easily entertained these days LOL. :)

Mary, The blue bird in the picture with the painted bunting looks like an indigo bunting to me--there is one other blue bird that looks like an indigo bunting but the name escapes me right now. We have had a northern flicker, a couple of red belly woodpeckers and downy or hairy--I get them mixed up--in our yard lately. We seem to have so many more birds this year but we have also had more rain this year than any other since we moved here. Sorry to be so long--I love birds and could talk about them all day long. I guess I am easily entertained too---but I love birds and animals of all kinds. Sheila in NC

Thanks Sheila! I think you are right. I'm wondering if that is what all of the baby blue birds are too. They were here yesterday afternoon - there are at least 20 of them! I've also had 2 woodpeckers other than the usual red headed one that I've seen out here before. They are similar but different so I'm thinking the Downy or the Hairy too - maybe one of each?? They just move too fast up and around the other side of the tree, for me to get a good look at them.

I just cannot believe the variety of birds showing up this spring. Up in a pine tree right next door is a Yellow Crowned Night Heron. She was there last year in that nest (much to my neighbor's despair because of their practice of regurgitation directly on their deck underneath) and gave birth to 5 babies, 3 of which survived and are back with her, delivering the twigs for the nest. Their wing span is so wide that they sound like helicopters when they take off and arrive at the nest. They fly pretty low over my backyard too so I'm very watchful over my little puppy lest they think he is dinner! I feel that they are eyeing him up at times, yikes!!

Yeah, I live in an older section of the subdivision so we are loaded with trees. Lots of oaks. Lots of leaves in the spring. Despite that, I do love the trees. You should hear the birds - sometimes it sounds like I'm in the middle of an aviary! The squirrels come along with it. Oh and I have 2 raccoons that visit at night. That'll be a challenge with the garden.

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